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 COVID19: Kano Private Schools lost over 1.6 Billion Naira

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Kano Kids in Private Schools

Abbas Yushau Yusuf

 

Due to the shutdown of all schools in Kano state beginning from March 23, 2020, The Joint Association of Private Schools in Kano says they have lost more than 1.6 billion Naira to the pandemic.

 

 

 

 

 

In a communiqué issued by Engineer, Bashir Adamu Aliyu said Kano State Ministry of Education released a press statement on Wednesday 28th October 2020 indicating the possibility of a cancellation of the 3rd Term of 2019/2020.

 

Since then, school proprietors have been contacting their respective associations trying to understand the situation and make sense of the directive.

 

He said This is what necessitated an update by the Joint Committee of Private and Voluntary Schools Associations in Kano State.

 

 

According to Engineer Bashir Adamu Aliyu   the fact that their members are equally faced with economic challenges resulting from the shutdown, the fact that most of our members use rented properties and many could not meet up with their rents, financial obligations and debt servicing during the lockdown.

 

The Joint Association Observed that they have over 3,000 schools in Kano State, and the  Associations provide employment to over 100,000 staff, give affordable, qualitative education to more than 600,000 students, and generate billions of Naira in revenue for the real estate, publishers, furniture and other affiliated businesses and industries.

 

 

The association also noted that a few dozen private schools were fumigated along with public schools in preparation for SSCE and NECO examinations, while some of the final year students were given facemasks to help them comply with COVID-19 protocols.

 

 

 

The association also lamented nonreceipt of financial assistance from the State Government despite  on Thurs October 22, 2020, they submitted a passionate appeal to Governor Ganduje through the  Commissioner, Kano State Ministry of Education,

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According to the Lagos State government has launched an N5,000,000,000 (Five Billion Naira) support fund to help reduce the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on low-cost private schools in the state, because the educational sector is one of those severely impacted by the pandemic, with schools and vocational learning-centers shut since March.”

 

 

 

They also cited example with  Kwara State Government setting aside the sum of N135,500,000 (One Hundred and Thirty-Five Million Naira) under the Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP) as an interest-free loan to 1,119 private school owners across the state, as salary support for their workers to prevent massive loss of job and poverty surge in the education sub-sector.

 

That even in those States where financial support was provided to the schools, none of them was requested to discount their schools’ fees.

We are willing to reduce 5 Percent Fees For Third Term-Kano Private Schools

 

They said, even though they appreciate the Federal Government efforts to assist the staff of private schools with some relief packages, it is yet to materialise, and is only applicable to 10 persons only per school and for only 3 months. 8.

 

 

 

“That all the Federal Government Colleges are currently conducting the 3rd term of the 2019/2020 Session, they are collecting their full school fees and rejecting any child whose parents cannot pay”

 

 

The Joint Association of Private Schools further calls on all members to remain calm, law-abiding and cooperate with all relevant authorities, to ensure the smooth running of schools and maintain the peaceful atmosphere in the State.

 

They also reassure their members that they are still discussing and contacting the authorities concerned to clarify the issues and arrive at an informed decision, as critical stakeholders in education, hence the question of threatening us to take a hasty stance does not even arise.

 

They also lament the loss of more than 1.65 Billion Naira to the pandemic for the 7-month abstinence of teaching and learning in Nigerian Schools.

 

Engineer Bashir noted that canceling 3rd Term and that of school fees discount are two entirely separate issues, each of which should be handled differently, as one affects the public and private schools while the other is exclusive to private schools.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Mahanga TV appoints former AREWA24 staff Zuwairiyah Girei as MD

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Mahanga TV, a Kano-based television station, has appointed former AREWA24 staff member Zuwairiyah Adamu Girei as its new Managing Director, bringing her more than 14 years of experience in Hausa-language television production and broadcasting to the organisation.

Girei was formally welcomed into her new role during a reception held at Mahanga TV’s premises in Kano on Monday, November 2, 2026, marking a new phase in the organisation’s growthe barely three months after its launch.

Speaking at the reception, Girei expressed excitement over her appointment, describing her experience at AREWA24 as a significant milestone in her professional journey.

She said she would draw on the knowledge and experience acquired during her time at the television station to strengthen Mahanga TV and drive it towards greater achievements.

“All the experience I have at AREWA24, I will bring here, and I think I will do extraordinary because I know what I have learnt there. I pray that we will see success beyond our expectations,” she said.

Outlining her vision for Mahanga TV, the new Managing Director said the organisation would look beyond Northern Nigeria and target audiences across Africa and the rest of the world.

She identified the large Hausa-speaking population as a major opportunity for the industry, noting that despite the challenges facing Hausa-language broadcasting, the sector has a substantial audience.

“We have over 60 million Hausa speakers in Nigeria, so I think we have a target audience we have to try to reach,” she said.

Girei said her leadership would focus on understanding audience expectations, introducing improvements and positioning Hausa productions for international recognition.

“Our thinking is pan-African; our thinking is the world. Our thinking is now how can Hausa film reach the Oscars. That is the thinking,” she said.

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Looking ahead to the next decade, she expressed her ambition to see Mahanga TV secure three to four Academy Awards, earn international recognition and become a household name among viewers across different age groups.

She said she envisioned a future where Mahanga TV would be the preferred television platform in homes, with both adults and children identifying with its programmes.

The Chief Executive Officer of Mahanga TV, Nuhu Abdullahi Balarabe, said Girei’s appointment was informed by the organisation’s rapid growth and the need for experienced leadership to sustain its progress.

Balarabe explained that he initially served as both Managing Director and CEO but decided to appoint a dedicated Managing Director to oversee the organisation’s daily operations and provide the leadership required to sustain its expanding activities.

He said the organisation needed someone who could provide consistent leadership and maintain its momentum as it continued to grow.

“She is well experienced, and I’m sure she will use that experience to take the organisation further from where it is,” he said.

Balarabe disclosed that Mahanga TV had recorded progress beyond its initial expectations within three months of launching, attributing the achievement to the dedication of its staff, consultants and advisers.

He said the organisation was expanding its content offerings through original productions and partnerships with independent producers to provide audiences with engaging programmes.

He also urged viewers to continue supporting the station and sharing feedback through its social media platforms and WhatsApp channel, assuring them that the organisation remained open to suggestions as it worked to improve its services.

Reaffirming the organisation’s broader ambition, Balarabe said Mahanga TV was committed to ensuring that Hausa stories, culture and experiences reached audiences across the world.

“We have a beautiful tale happening in Northern Nigeria, and I believe it is only we that can tell our own story. We want to make sure all our stories are told and they reach every part of the world,” he said.

Also speaking, Mahanga TV’s Creative Director and Brand Manager, Abdulbasit Abanikanda, described Girei’s appointment as a timely development that would strengthen the organisation’s management structure and provide better direction for its expanding workforce.

Abanikanda recalled that Mahanga TV started with a team of just three people but had since grown considerably, making the appointment of an experienced manager necessary to coordinate its activities.

He expressed confidence in Girei’s ability to advance the station’s creative vision, noting that her ambition of taking Hausa stories to audiences across the world aligned with the organisation’s objectives.

With Girei’s appointment, Mahanga TV aims to consolidate its early progress, strengthen its content production and expand the reach of Hausa storytelling, creating opportunities for Northern Nigeria’s stories, culture and creative talent to gain wider national and international recognition.

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Kano Governor Nominates Ex- Speaker, Spokesperson as Commissioners

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Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has nominated his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, and a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Balarabe Sa’idu Gani, for appointment as commissioners.

The governor has forwarded their names to the Kano State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.

The Assembly is expected to screen the nominees on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

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In a statement issued on Monday, the Assembly’s spokesperson, Kamaluddeen Sani Shawai, said the legislature had received a formal communication from Governor Yusuf requesting the screening of the two nominees.

He added that the exercise would be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Gani served as Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly from 2003 to 2007, while Bature currently serves as the governor’s spokesperson.

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2027: Rep Abubakar Kabir Bichi holds strategic meeting with Kano lawmakers

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The Chairman, House of representatives committee on appropriations Hon. Abubakar Kabir Bichi, has convened a meeting of all APC State Assembly Members and 40 Candidates in the upcoming 2027 General elections, led by the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Jibril Ismail Falgore.

Crucial issues were discussed on how best to coordinate their campaigns programs to deliver the APC, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf in the forthcoming 2027 general elections.

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The meeting was held at his Bichi office, Sunday evening 1st November 2026.

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